WO2015124640A1 - Method for obtaining plants with intermediate height - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is a method for obtaining a plant having a height of less than the height of a corresponding wild type plant, comprising the steps of transforming tissue of the wild type plant with one or more genes of the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes; allowing the transformed tissue to develop roots; selecting a putatively transformed root having a hairy root phenotype; growing said root on a regeneration medium; regenerating a shoot from said root, thereby generating a transformed rooted plantlet; growing said transformed rooted plantlet into a mature transformed mother plant having a height of less than 65% of that of the corresponding wild type plant; preparing a transformed cutting from the mature transformed mother plant, or from progeny thereof, allowing a rooted transformed plantlet to develop from the transformed cutting, and treating the rooted transformed plantlet with gibberellin, therewith allowing the plantlet to develop in a mature plant having a height between the height of the transformed mother plant of step and the height of the wild type plant of step.

Description

METHOD FOR OBTAINING PLANTS WITH INTERMEDIATE HEIGHT

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a plant having a height of less than the height of a corresponding wild type plant.

Compact plant architecture is more and more desired in the field of ornamental plants. The potted plant industry favors more compact plant architecture for environmental, space and transportation purposes. Potted plants displaying an elongated growth behavior are losing interest of both the breeders, plant producers and the consumers.

At present, the industry treats plants with growth retardants to limit plant size. However, use of growth retardants may be harmful to both human health and the environment. However, for plants having an elongated growth habit, such as e.g. Kalanchoe, roses and Chrysanthemum, use of chemical growth retardants is necessary to obtain compact plants. Another disadvantage is that the use of such growth retardants result in belated and less flowering, which is a major drawback for growers of ornamental plants.

Plants transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes having compact plant architecture are described (Christensen and Muller, 2009, Europ. J. Hort. Sci. 74(6) 275-287). In that study, several plant species have been transformed by infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, and transformants were visually evaluated. The said transformants displayed numerous phenotypes, in particular dwarfism and compact plants growth. However, said compact growth often coincides with undesired phenotypes, such as wrinkled leaves, flower shape, reduced flower number, delayed flowering. For ornamental plants, the disadvantages of the Agrobacterium rhizogenes transfection appeared to be larger than the envisaged advantages of compact growth, in particular because the growth is retarded to an undesired extent, leading to dwarfism.

For example a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes is described, a horticulturally important succulent plant displaying an elongated growth habit in nature and having turgid and succulent leaves that enable the plants to survive drought conditions, explaining its popularity as both an indoor and outdoor plant. The transformant displayed undesired dwarfism growth behavior, and in addition significant disadvantages such as wrinkled leaves, a reduced number of flowers and flower size were observed. The same is true for other plans, tested in this study. Therefore, Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation never gained commercial importance.

The Ri-plasmid of naturally occurring soil bacterium A. rhizogenes agropine-type strains carry two T-DNA regions (T_L-DNA and T_R-DNA, SEQ ID NO 1 and 2, respectively) on the Ri-plasmid for transfer into plant cells. Following infection of a plant cell, the bacterium transfers the entire T-DNA region (both T_L-DNA and T_R-DNA), thereby transferring rol (root oncogenic loci) and aux genes into the plant genome and causing hairy root growth at the site of infection (Tepfer (1984) Cell, 37, pp. 959-967). Because A. rhizogenes naturally infects plants, the rol genes are naturally transferred into the plant and function as plant oncogenes and develop hairy roots in plant tissues.

The T|_-DNA contains four rol genes, ro/A, ro/B, ro/C, and ro/D (SEQ ID Nos 3 - 6, respectively), whereas the T_R-DNA contains several genes, including two auxin genes, auxl and aux2 (SEQ ID Nos 7 and 8, respectively). T-DNA comprises in total 18 open reading frames (Veena and Taylor (2007), In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant, 43, 383-403).

TERMINOLOGY

All technical terms used herein are terms commonly used in biochemistry, molecular biology and agriculture, and can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Technical terms can be found in: Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3rd ed., vol. 1-3, ed. Sambrook and Russell, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 2001 ; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, ed. Ausubel et al., Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-lnterscience, New York, 1988 (with periodic updates); Short Protocols in Molecular Biology: A Compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 5th ed., vol. 1 -2, ed. Ausubel et al., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2002; Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual, vol. 1-2, ed. Green et al., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1997. Methodology involving plant biology techniques is described herein and is described in detail in treatises such as Methods in Plant Molecular Biology: A Laboratory Course Manual, ed. Maliga et al., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1995. Various techniques using PCR are described in Innis et al., PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, Academic Press, San Diego, 1990 and in Dieffenbach and Dveksler, PCR Primer: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 2003. PCR-primer pairs can be derived from known sequences by known techniques such as using computer programs intended for that purpose, Primer, Version 0.5, 1991 , Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA. Methods for chemical synthesis of nucleic acids are discussed, for example, in Beaucage and Caruthers, 1981 , Tetra. Letts. 22: 1859-1862, and Matteucci and Caruthers, 1981 J. Am. Chem. Soc. 103: 3185. Restriction enzyme digestions, phosphorylations, ligations and transformations were done as described in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed. (1989), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. All reagents and materials used for the growth and maintenance of bacterial cells were obtained from Aldrich Chemicals (Milwaukee, Wl), DIFCO Laboratories (Detroit, Ml), Invitrogen (Gaithersburg, MD), or Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, MO), unless otherwise specified.

"Transformation" refers herein to any methodology for introducing one or more genes originating from a Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes into a host plant cell. In particular, said one or more genes comprise one or more ro/ genes. Importantly, and because A. rhizogenes naturally infects plants, transformation includes the natural transfer of wild-type genes from the Ri plasmid from the wild-type bacterium into a plant cell, in particular ro/ genes. Thus, and as used herein, transformation neither implies nor requires cloning a heterologous gene into a vector for transfer into a host plant cell. Furthermore, a host plant cell expressing one or more genes originating from a Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, such as one or more rol genes may be characterized as "transformed." Transformation may occur by any known method including, for example, natural infection, floral dip, infiltration, or particle bombardment. Transformation of a cell may be detected by any known means, including but not limited to Northern Blot, Southern blot, PCR, RT-PCR (syn. q-PCR, qRT-PCR) and/or genomic sequencing. It is also possible to take one or more genes or open reading frames, originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens from the said plasmid, and use it outside the context of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens system to transform an envisaged plant. The skilled person will be aware of such methods.

The term "tissue culture" refers to plant tissues propagated under sterile conditions, often for producing clones of a plant. Plant tissue culture relies on the fact that many plant cells have the ability to regenerate a whole plant. Single cells, plant cells without cell walls (protoplasts), pieces of leaves, or roots can often be used to generate a new plant on culture media given the required nutrients and plant hormones. As used herein, "interspecific hybrid" includes the progeny from the cross of two different species of plants of the same genus and its cultivars, as well as progeny resulting from subsequent backcrossing to one of the parents. This backcrossing to one of the parents may be conducted one or more times with the goal of stably combining the double-type trait with desired characteristics. "Interspecific hybrid" embraces any plant with an interspecific cross in its background. That is, interspecific hybrids include both the first and subsequent generations of crosses between two plant species, as well as the progeny produced from either selfing an interspecific hybrid or crossing an interspecific hybrid with a plant of the same or different species.

A. rhizogenes refers to Agrobacterium rhizogenes and its Ri-plasmid from an agropine strain. The T-DNA contains two segments, T_L and T_R, which are separated by a 15Kb sequence that is not integrated. The T_L-DNA contains 18 open reading frames (ORFs) where the four root loci-genes reside. The T_R-DNA contains several genes, including auxl and aux2.

"Hairy root phenotype" refers to a plant phenotype indicative of a putative transformed plant. That is, when A. rhizogenes infects a plant cell and transfer one or more rol genes, hairy root growth occurs at the infection site. In this way, a hairy root phenotype offers a marker-free method for identifying putative transformants.

"Intermediate height" refers to a quantitative reduction of plant height relative to the height of a wild-type or control plant of the same species but to an increase in plant height relative to the height of a plant of the said species transformed with one or more genes of the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. As transformed plants often display compact growth or dwarfism, the height of a transformed plant is usually about by less than 70%, 65%, 60%, 50%, 40, 30% or even less than 25%, 20%, 15% or 10% of the height of a wild type non transformed control plant. So in case a transformed plant displays a height of 30% as compared to the height of a wild type untransformed plant of the same species, preferably a parent plant from which the transformed plant originates, plants of 'intermediate height' are defined by a length of more than 30% of the height of the wild type untransformed plant, but having a height of less than the height of the said wild type untransformed plant.

The term "control plant" is intended to mean a same plant as a transformant plant, i.e. originating from the same parental source or belonging to the same species or variety. The skilled person will immediately understand how to compare transformed plant with control plants and what plants to take as control plant. A. NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCES

The term "gene" refers to a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA or RNA) sequence that comprises coding sequences necessary for the production of RNA or a polypeptide. A polypeptide can be encoded by a full-length coding sequence or by any part thereof. The term "parts thereof when used in reference to a gene refers to fragments of that gene, particularly a fragment encoding at least a portion of a protein. The fragments may range in size from a few nucleotides to the entire gene sequence minus one nucleotide. Thus, "a nucleic acid sequence comprising at least a part of a gene" may comprise fragments of the gene or the entire gene.

"Gene" also encompasses the coding regions of a structural gene and includes sequences located adjacent to the coding region on both the 5' and 3' ends for a distance of about 1 kb on either end such that the gene corresponds to the length of the full-length mRNA. The sequences which are located 5' of the coding region and which are present on the mRNA are referred to as 5' non-translated (or untranslated) sequences (5' UTR). The sequences which are located 3' or downstream of the coding region and which are present on the mRNA are referred to as 3' non-translated (or untranslated) sequences (3' UTR).

"Nucleic acid" as used herein refers to RNA or DNA that is linear or branched, single or double stranded, or a hybrid thereof. The term also encompasses RNA/DNA hybrids.

"Encoding" and "coding" refer to the process by which a gene, through the mechanisms of transcription and translation, provides information to a cell from which a series of amino acids can be assembled into a specific amino acid sequence to produce an active enzyme. Because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, certain base changes in DNA sequence do not change the amino acid sequence of a protein. It is therefore understood that modifications in the DNA sequence encoding transcription factors which do not substantially affect the functional properties of the protein are contemplated.

The term "expression," as used herein, refers to the production of a functional end-product e.g., an mRNA or a protein.

The terms "polypeptide," "peptide" and "protein" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues. The terms apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residue is an artificial chemical analog of a corresponding naturally occurring amino acid, as well as to naturally occurring amino acid polymers.

Probe or primer refers to a short oligonucleotide sequence that could be designed and synthesized, or generated as a fragment of a larger sequence. A probe or primer can be any length, such as 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 , 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60 nucleotides in length.

Illustrative rol sequences include but are not limited to the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-18, respectively, as well as nucleic acid molecules comprised of fragments or variants of SEQ ID NO: 1 -18 with one or more bases deleted, substituted, inserted, or added, which variant codes for a polypeptide with rol activity. For example, and in no way limiting, the present disclosure provides SEQ ID NO: 1 , as well as various fragments of SEQ ID NO: 1 , which could include, for example, ro/A-D and atvx1-2. For instance, and as readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the ro/A gene could represent a 700 bp portion or fragment of a larger sequence comprising ro/A-D and atvx1-2.

A "variant" is a nucleotide or amino acid sequence that deviates from the standard, or given, nucleotide or amino acid sequence of a particular gene or protein. The terms "isoform," "isotype," and "analog" also refer to "variant" forms of a nucleotide or an amino acid sequence. An amino acid sequence that is altered by the addition, removal, or substitution of one or more amino acids, or a change in nucleotide sequence, may be considered a "variant" sequence. The variant may have "conservative" changes, wherein a substituted amino acid has similar structural or chemical properties, e.g., replacement of leucine with isoleucine. A variant may have "nonconservative" changes, e.g., replacement of a glycine with a tryptophan. Analogous minor variations may also include amino acid deletions or insertions, or both. Guidance in determining which amino acid residues may be substituted, inserted, or deleted may be found using computer programs well known in the art such as Vector NTI Suite (InforMax, Md.) software. "Variant" may also refer to a "shuffled gene" such as those described in Maxygen-assigned patents.

Included in the category of "variant" sequences are sequences that hybridize to a reference rol sequence. For example, two sequences hybridize when they form a double-stranded complex in a hybridization solution of 6x SSC, 0.5% SDS, 5x Denhardt's solution and 100 μg of non-specific carrier DNA. See Ausubel et al., supra, at section 2.9, supplement 27 (1994). Sequences may hybridize at "moderate stringency," which is defined as a temperature of 60°C in a hybridization solution of 6 x SSC, 0.5% SDS, 5. times. Denhardt's solution and 100 .mu.g of non-specific carrier DNA. For "high stringency" hybridization, the temperature is increased to 68°C. Following the moderate stringency hybridization reaction, the nucleotides are washed in a solution of 2 x SSC plus 0.05% SDS for five times at room temperature, with subsequent washes with 0.1 x SSC plus 0.1 % SDS at 60°C for 1 hour. For high stringency, the wash temperature is increased to 68°C. One with ordinary skill in the art can readily select such conditions by varying the temperature during the hybridization reaction and washing process, the salt concentration during the hybridization reaction and washing process, and so forth. For present purposes, hybridized nucleotides can be detected using 1 ng of a radiolabeled probe having a specific radioactivity of 10,000 cpm/ng, where the hybridized nucleotides are clearly visible following exposure to X-ray film at -70°C for no more than 72 hours.

The present application is directed to such nucleic acid molecules that are at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to a nucleic acid sequence described in any of SEQ ID NO: 1 -18. Preferred are nucleic acid molecules which are at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence shown in any of SEQ ID NO: 1-18. Differences between two nucleic acid sequences may occur at the 5' or 3' terminal positions of the reference nucleotide

As a practical matter, stating whether any particular nucleic acid molecule is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to a reference nucleotide sequence implicates a comparison made between two molecules, using algorithms known in the art and can be determined conventionally using publicly available computer programs such as the BLASTN algorithm. See Altschul et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 25: 3389-402 (1997).

The terms "sequence identity" and "sequence similarity" can be determined by alignment of two peptide or two nucleotide sequences using global or local alignment algorithms. Sequences may then be referred to as "substantially identical" or "essentially similar" when they share at least 70% of sequence identity over their entire length, respectively. Sequence alignments and scores for percentage sequence identity may be determined using computer programs, such as the GCG Wisconsin Package, Version 10.3, available from Accelrys Inc., 9685 Scranton Road, San Diego, Calif. 92121 -3752 USA, or EmbossWin version 2.10.0 (using the program "needle"). Alternatively percent similarity or identity may be determined by searching against databases, using algorithm as FASTA, BLAST, etc.

The present disclosure may contemplate nucleic acid molecules encoding functional proteins. As known in the art, it is understood that such proteins encompass amino acid substitutions, additions, and deletions that do not alter the function of any of the proteins.

Because many proteins are encoded by gene families, it is expected that other genes could encode proteins with similar functions as the instant polypeptides. These genes can be identified and functionally annotated by sequence comparison. A worker skilled in the art can identify a functionally related protein sequence with the aid of conventional methods such as screening cDNA libraries or genomic libraries with suitable hybridization probes. The skilled artisan knows that paralogous sequences can also be isolated with the aid of (degenerate) oligonucleotides and PCR-based methods. B. NUCLEIC ACID CONSTRUCTS

As explained above, one or more gene sequences originating from a Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes are transferred into a host plant cell. Such transfer can occur through natural means, such as natural infection of plant cell with A. rhizogenes carrying the Ri plasmid including native rol genes. Such natural or native transfer avoids the need for constructs and selection markers.

However, in another aspect, one or more one or more genes originating from a Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, including rol sequences can be incorporated into a nucleic acid construct that is suitable for introduction into a plant cell. Thus, in instance where a native system is not employed, a nucleic acid construct can be used to express rol in a plant cell.

Exemplary nucleic acid constructs may comprise a base sequence of a minimum length to generate a mRNA and consequently a polypeptide. There is no theoretical upper limit to the base sequence length. The preparation of such constructs is described in more detail below.

As a source of the nucleic acid sequence for transcription, a suitable cDNA or genomic DNA or synthetic polynucleotide may be used. Methods for the isolation of suitable rol sequences are described, supra. Sequences coding for the whole, or substantially the whole, of the sequence may thus be obtained. Suitable lengths of this DNA sequence may be cut out for use by means of restriction enzymes. When using genomic DNA as the source of a partial base sequence for transcription, it is possible to use either intron or exon regions or a combination of both.

Recombinant nucleic acid constructs may be made using standard techniques. For example, the nucleic acid sequence for transcription may be obtained by treating a vector containing said sequence with restriction enzymes to cut out the appropriate segment. The nucleic acid sequence for transcription may also be generated by annealing and ligating synthetic oligonucleotides or by using synthetic oligonucleotides in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to give suitable restriction sites at each end. The nucleic acid sequence then is cloned into a vector containing suitable regulatory elements, such as upstream promoter and downstream terminator sequences.

Another aspect concerns a nucleic acid construct wherein a gene sequence of one or more genes originating from a Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, such as a rol sequence is operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences, which drive expression of the rol sequence in certain cell types, organs, or tissues without unduly affecting normal development or plant physiology.

Of course, and in the context of a natural transformation or natural infection system, native or endogenous regulatory sequences are used, rather than heterologous sequences.

"Promoter" connotes a region of DNA upstream from the start of transcription that is involved in recognition and binding of RNA polymerase and other proteins to initiate transcription. A "constitutive promoter" is one that is active throughout the life of the plant and under most environmental conditions. Tissue-specific, tissue- preferred, cell type-specific, and inducible promoters constitute the class of "non- constitutive promoters." "Operably linked" refers to a functional linkage between a promoter and a second sequence, where the promoter sequence initiates and mediates transcription of the DNA sequence corresponding to the second sequence. In general, "operably linked" means that the nucleic acid sequences being linked are contiguous.

Promoters useful for expression of a nucleic acid sequence introduced into a cell may include native or endogenous promoters for natural transformation systems, or constitutive promoters, such as the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter, or tissue-specific, tissue-preferred, cell type-specific, and inducible promoters. For example, by using vascular system-specific, xylem-specific, or xylem-preferred promoters, one can modify rol expression specifically in many tissues such as vascular tissues, especially xylem. The use of a constitutive promoter in general affects enzyme levels and functions in all parts of the plant, while use of a tissue-preferred promoter permits targeting of the modified gene expression to specific plant parts, leading to a more controllable phenotypes.

A vector may also contain a termination sequence, positioned downstream of a rol sequence, such that transcription of mRNA is terminated, and polyA sequences added. Exemplary of such terminators are native or endogenous terminator sequenes, cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S terminator, or the nopaline synthase gene (Tnos) terminator. The expression vector also may contain enhancers, start codons, splicing signal sequences, and targeting sequences.

Expression vectors may also contain a selection marker by which transformed cells can be identified in culture. The marker may be associated with the heterologous nucleic acid molecule, i.e., the gene operably linked to a promoter. As used herein, the term "marker" refers to a gene encoding a trait or a phenotype that permits the selection of, or the screening for, a plant or cell containing the marker. In plants, for example, the marker gene will encode antibiotic or herbicide resistance. This allows for selection of transformed cells from among cells that are not transformed or transfected.

Examples of suitable selectable markers include adenosine deaminase, dihydrofolate reductase, hygromycin-B-phosphotransferase, thymidne kinase, xanthine- guanine phospho-ribosyltransferase, glyphosate and glufosinate resistance, and aminoglycoside 3'-0-phosphotranserase (kanamycin, neomycin and G418 resistance). These markers may include resistance to G418, hygromycin, bleomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin. The construct may also contain the selectable marker gene Bar that confers resistance to herbicidal phosphinothricin analogs like ammonium gluphosinate. Thompson et al., EMBO J. 9: 2519-23 (1987). Other suitable selection markers are known as well.

Visible markers such as green florescent protein (GFP) may be used. Methods for identifying or selecting transformed plants based on the control of cell division have also been described. See WO 2000/052168 and WO 2001/059086. Likewise, the presence of a distinguishing phenotype, such as tumor or hairy root growth, may also be used for identification and selection.

In a natural transformation or natural infection system, a selection marker is not employed. Because infection provides its own distinct and natural phenotype, a transformed cell can be selected based on a post-infection phenotype, such as hairy root phenotype.

Replication sequences, of bacterial or viral origin, may also be included to allow the vector to be cloned in a bacterial or phage host. Preferably, a broad host range prokaryotic origin of replication is used. A selectable marker for bacteria may be included to allow selection of bacterial cells bearing the desired construct. Suitable prokaryotic selectable markers also include resistance to antibiotics such as kanamycin or tetracycline.

Other nucleic acid sequences encoding additional functions may also be present in the vector, as is known in the art. For instance, when Agrobacterium is the host, T-DNA sequences may be included to facilitate the subsequent transfer to and incorporation into plant chromosomes.

C. TRANSFORMATION METHODOLOGY: TRANSFER OF GENES

As explained above, transformation" refers to any methodology for introducing one or more genes originating from Agrobacterium rhizogenes into a host plant or plant cell. Importantly, and because A. rhizogenes naturally infects plants, transformation embraces transferring wild-type genes from the Ri plasmid from wild-type bacterium into a plant cell, in particular one or more rol genes and/or aux genes. Thus, and as used herein, transformation does not require cloning a heterologous gene into a vector for transfer into a host plant cell, nor does transformation require genetically engineering the bacterium.

"Transformed plant" refers to a plant that comprises a nucleic acid sequence that also is present per se in another organism or species, or that is optimized, relative to host codon usage, from another organism or species. Both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous angiosperm or gymnosperm plant cells may be transformed in various ways known to the art. For example, see Klein et al., Biotechnology 4: 583-590 (1993); Bechtold et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 316: 1 194-1 199 (1993); Bent et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 204: 383-396 (1986); Paszowski et al., EMBO J. 3: 27 Ί 7 '-2722 (1984); Sagi et al., Plant Cell Rep. 13: 262-266 (1994). Agrobacterium species such as A. tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes can be used, for example, in accordance with Nagel et al., Microbiol Lett 67: 325 (1990). Additionally, plants may be transformed by Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium or Mesorhizobium transformation. Broothaerts et al., Nature 433: 629-633 (2005). For example, Agrobacterium may be transformed with a plant expression vector via, e.g., electroporation, after which the Agrobacterium is introduced to plant cells via, e.g., the well known leaf-disk method. Additional methods for accomplishing this include, but are not limited to, electroporation, particle gun bombardment, calcium phosphate precipitation, and polyethylene glycol fusion, transfer into germinating pollen grains, direct transformation, Lorz et al., Mol. Genet. 199: 179-182 (1985), and other methods known to the art. If a selection marker, such as kanamycin resistance, is employed, it makes it easier to determine which cells have been successfully transformed. Marker genes may be included within pairs of recombination sites recognized by specific recombinases such as ere or flp to facilitate removal of the marker after selection. See U.S. published application No. 2004/0143874.

Transgenic plants without marker genes may be produced using a second plasmid comprising a nucleic acid encoding the marker, distinct from a first plasmid that comprises a gene sequence originating from the Agrobacterium rhizogenes Ri plasmid, in particular a rol sequence. The first and second plasmids or portions thereof are introduced into the same plant cell, such that the selectable marker gene that is transiently expressed, transformed plant cells are identified, and transformed plants are obtained in which the envisaged gene sequence, such as a rol sequence is stably integrated into the genome and the selectable marker gene is not stably integrated. See U.S. published application No. 2003/0221213.

The Agrobacterium transformation methods discussed above are known for transforming dicots. Additionally, de la Pena et al., Nature 325: 274-276 (1987), Rhodes et al., Science 240: 204-207 (1988), and Shimamato et al., Nature 328: 274-276 (1989) have transformed cereal monocots using Agrobacterium. Also see Bechtold et al., C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 316 (1994), illustrating vacuum infiltration for Agrobacterium- mediated transformation.

Plant cells may be transformed with a nucleic acid or nucleic acid construct without the use of a selectable or visible marker, and transgenic organisms may be identified by detecting the presence of the introduced sequence or construct. The presence of a protein, polypeptide, or nucleic acid molecule in a particular cell can be measured to determine if, for example, a cell has been successfully transformed or transfected. For example, and as routine in the art, the presence of the introduced construct can be detected by PCR or other suitable methods for detecting a specific nucleic acid or polypeptide sequence. Additionally, transformed cells may be identified by recognizing differences in the growth rate or a morphological feature of a transformed cell compared to the growth rate or a morphological feature of a non-transformed cell that is cultured under similar conditions. See WO 2004/076625.

Methods of regenerating a plant from a transformed cell or culture vary according to the plant species but are based on known methodology. For example, methods for regenerating Kalanchoe plants are well-known in the art can be found in Christensen, et al, (2008). Plant Cell Rep. 27, 1485-1495.

D. SELECTION AND ANALYSIS OF PLANTS TRANSFORMED WITH A.RHIZOGENES

The present transformed plants are selected that contain and express one or more genes originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes relative to a control, non-transformed plant of the same species, said genes preferably comprising one or more rol genes. Additionally, the instant plants may have an altered phenotype relative to a non-transformed control plant. Such phenotype may include an intermediate height or intermediate compactness, wherein the transformed plant has a reduced height and/or compactness relative to the control plant.

The present inventors have now, in a first aspect of the invention, been capable to provide plants of intermediate height, without the need of being subjected to the drawbacks of using chemical growth retarding agents, and while still capable of flowering as comparable to the wild type control plants, with a similar number of flowers or even an increased number of flowers as compared to the flower number of control plants. To this end, the invention provides a method for obtaining a plant having a height of less than the height of a corresponding wild type plant, comprising the steps of:

(a) transforming tissue of the wild type plant with one or more genes originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes,

(b) allowing the transformed tissue to develop roots,

(c) selecting a putatively transformed root having a hairy root phenotype;

(d) growing the selected root on a regeneration medium;

(e) allowing a transformed rooted plantlet to generate from said root;

(f) growing said transformed rooted plantlet into a mature transformed

mother plant having a height of 70% or less of that of the corresponding wild type plant, (g) preparing a transformed cutting from the mature transformed mother plant, or from progeny thereof,

(h) allowing a rooted transformed plantlet to develop from the transformed cutting,

(i) treating the rooted transformed plantlet with gibberellin, therewith allowing the plantlet to develop in a mature plant having a height between the height of the transformed mother plant of step (f) and the height of the wild type plant of step (a).

It has surprisingly found that plants transformed with one or more genes originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, and treated with gibberellin during the development to a mature plant display the envisaged intermediate growth as defined above, and may as well not have the above disadvantages or to a significant lesser extent. Herein, the phrase Originating from Agrobacterium rhizogenes' is particularly intended to mean Originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes', in particular from the T_L- and T_R-DNA of the Ri plasmid as shown in SEQ ID NOs 1 and 2, respectively.

In step (a), tissue of the wild type plant is transformed with one or more genes originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. As indicated above, the skilled person is aware about how to introduce said genes in the plant in such a way that the said gene or genes are expressed. The plant can e.g. be obtained by infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, e.g. by contacting a culture of Agrobacterium rhizogenes with a fresh wound of the plant or a portion thereof. However, it is also possible to introduce into plant cell one or more Agrobacterium rhizogenes genes of the Ri plasmid, or a combination of two or more thereof, such as one or more rol genes, a combination of two or more thereof, or all four rol genes, into the plant cells by known genetic engineering techniques. Infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes of a plant or plant cells however, has been proven very efficient and convenient. The skilled person is aware of proper techniques as how to transfect an envisaged plant with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, and how the produce transformed plants , see e.g. Christensen et al., supra.

In a subsequent step, the thus transformed tissue is allowed to develop roots, followed by selecting roots with hairy root phenotype, a well-known phenotypic selection marker for A. rhizogenes transformed plant tissue. By growing the selected root on a regeneration medium (e.g. Christensen et al., supra), transformed rooted plantlets are allowed to be generated. One or more shoots are formed from the root, resulting in transformed rooted plantlets.

The said rooted plantlet is grows into a mature mother plant having a height of 70% or less of that of the corresponding wild type plant. The term 'mature' intends to mean that the plant will be capable to be brought to sexual reproduction, in contrast to 'juvenile', herein meaning that the plant has not yet developed to a stage wherein it is capable to be brought to sexual reproduction. This means that the plant must be in a development stage that flowers can be generated. As indicated earlier, transformed plants will display a compact or dwarfism growth behaviour, resulting in a plant height that is significantly less than that of the originating non transformed wild type plant. It is to be understood that in case transformed mother plants are found having a height of 70% or more as compared to the height of the originating non transformed wild type plant, such plant is not selected for preparing cuttings from in the subsequent step. Therefore, step (f) may comprise the step of selecting a mature mother plant having a height of 70% or less of that of the corresponding wild type plant.

Subsequently, transformed cuttings are prepared from the mature transformed plant. It is also possible to take cuttings from progeny of the said mature transformed mother plant, such as from a mature plants, originating from a cutting form the said mature mother plant. It is also possible to cross the mature transformed mother plant with another, possible not transformed plant of the same species, or from another species, i.e. generating a transformed mature interspecific hybrid mother plant.

The cuttings are kept and treated such that rooted transformed plantlets develop from the cuttings. Said plantlets are young plants in the process of becoming a mature plant. During this stage of developing in a mature plant, the rooted transformed plantlet is treated with gibberellin, a plant growth hormone, therewith allowing the plantlet to elongate and develop in a mature plant having a height between the height of the transformed mother plant of step and the height of the initial wild type plant. Without the gibberellin treatment, the plantlet would develop in a plant, similar or identical in height to the transformed mother plant. The gibberellin treatment surprisingly results in plants of intermediate height, capable of forming a similar or even a higher number of flowers as compared to wild type control plants, with the capability to flower even earlier and longer both compared to the originating wild type plant as well as compared to the transformed mother plant. It was also found that by gibberellin treatment, the internode distance increased as compared to the mature mother plant, facilitating the preparation of cuttings.

A.rhizogenes transformed mother plants displaying a dwarfism type of growth behaviour were difficult to obtain cuttings from without damaging the mother plants.

In an attractive embodiment, step (a) comprises co-cultivating A. rhizogenes with a plant or plant part, such as a leaf or leaf portion, allowing A. rhizogenes to deliver the said one or more genes of the Ri plasmid into said plant or plant portion. As indicated above, the one or more genes, such as one or more rol genes can be introduced in the plant cells by any known transformation technique, it is preferred to co-cultivate

A.rhizogenes with a plant or plant portion, e.g. including wounding the plant or plant part.

Preferably, the one or more genes originating from the Ri plasmid of

Agrobacterium rhizogenes comprises one or more rol genes, in particular chosen from ro/A, ro/B and ro/C as described above. However, also ro/D, atvx1 , aux2 and any of the open reading frames as identified on the Ri plasmid can be included. Based on the above-mentioned literature and experimental data is believed that in particular rol genes may play an important role in the above-described characteristics. Therefore, it is preferred to transform the plant in step (a) with at least ro/A, ro/B and ro/C genes, preferably also with ro/D.

In a preferred embodiment, step (a) comprises infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, which is a natural way of transformation without the need of applying genetic manipulation techniques. While any methodology can be used for transforming plants with A. rhizogenes, in particular with one or more rol genes, the present disclosure provides both "natural" and "non-natural" methodology for generating transformed plants, in particular belonging to any of the genera as described below. For example, and as discussed below, applicants harnessed wild-type A. rhizogenes to transfer its native genes, including its rol genes into a plant cell. While this is a "natural" system in that A. rhizogenes transfers its native genes to plant cells, it is unlikely to successfully occur in nature because compact plants transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes face obstacles such as increased risk of fungal infection due to compact leaves forming closer structures, as well as competitiveness from neighboring plants.

The Agrobacterium rhizogenes is preferably wild-type, i.e. not containing genetic material that has been introduced by way of genetic engineering. Advantageously, using wild-type Agrobacterium rhizogenes results in transformants that are to be regarded as not being a GMO (genetically modified organism). In a preferred embodiment, the mature transformed mother plant of step (f) has a height of less than 65%, preferably less than 50%, and more preferably less than 25% of the height of the wild type plant of step (a). Such heights are obtained when plants, transformed by A. rhizogenes are allowed to grow to mature plants. The advantage of the invention become more pronounced when transformation of wild type plants results in dwarfism growth behaviour, as it is difficult to produce cuttings from such dwarf plants, and the need for plants of intermediate height is higher for dwarf plants.

In a very attractive embodiment, step (f) further comprises treating the transformed rooted plantlet with gibberellin before the transformed rooted plantlet reaches maturity. This results in a mature transformed mother plant that is itself of intermediate height, so that taking cuttings in the subsequent step is facilitated. Although the gibberellin treatment can be performed only once, it may be preferred to repeat the gibberellin treatment before the plantlet reaches maturity, in particular in case the transformed plant is very small, and the difference between the height of the transformed mother plant and the envisaged intermediate plant height is significant. The skilled person is aware of suitable gibberellin treatments. For gibberellin treatments, e.g. the product Berelex (Valent Biosciences, Libertyville, IL, USA) can be used, as will be discussed below. One or more treatments can be applied to the plants in their growing cycle, depending on the height of the plant as compared to the non-transformed control plant and the envisaged intermediate height to be obtained.

In a preferred embodiment, step (i) comprises allowing the plantlet to develop in a mature plant having a height of up to 75%, preferably of up to 70%, more preferably of up to up to 65% of the height of the wild type plant of step (a). So if a wild type plant, e.g. a Kalanchoe cultivar has a height of e.g. 40 cm, the method preferably provides a plant having an intermediate height of up to 30 cm, preferably up to 28 cm, more preferably of up to 26 cm.

On the other hand, step (i) preferably comprises allowing the plantlet to develop in a mature plant having a height of at least 40%, preferably at least 50% of the height of the wild type plant of step (a). In the above example of a wild type pant of 40 cm, the envisaged plant obtained by the described method preferably has an intermediate height of at least 16 cm, more preferably of at least 20 cm.

The wild type plant of step (a) preferably belongs to any of the following genera or species: Kalanchoe, in particular K. blossfeldiana, K. laciniata, K. pinnata, K. marmorata, K. gastonis-bonnieri, K. dixoniana, K. humilis, K. ambolensis, K. aromatica, K.

campanulata, K. citrina, K. coccinea, K. crundallii, K. daigremontiana, K. decumbens, K. faustii, K. fedtschenkoi, K. figueredoi, K. flammea, K. glaucescens, K. gracilipes, K. grandi flora, K. guignardii, K. jongmansii, K. laciniata, K.latisepela, K. laxiflora, K. lobata, K. longiflora, K. manginii, K. nyikae, K. obtuse, K. paniculata, K. porphyrocalyx, K.

prittwitzii, K. pubescens, K. pumila, K. rauhii, K. rotundifolia, K. scapigera, K.

schumacherii, K. spathulata, K. streptantha, K. synsepala, K. tomentosa, K. thyrsiflora, K. tubi flora, K. uni flora;

Chrysantemum, in particular Chrysantemum morifolium, Chrysantemum x morifolium (syn. C. x grandiflorum e.g.Dendranthema hybrids, or hybrids between Chrysantemum morifolium and other Chrysantemum species, such as Chrysanthemum indicum;

Aster, in particular Aster novi-belgii, Aster dumosus;

Rosa, in particular Rosa hybrida, Rosa canina, Rosa spinosissima, Rosa damascena "trigintipetala', Rosa centi folia;

Solanum, in particular Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum tuberosum, Solanum nicotiana;

Euphorbia, in particular Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia milii;

Phaelanopsis, in particular Phalaenopsis amabilis, Phalaenopsis amboinensis,

Phalaenopsis aphrodite, Phalaenopsis appendiculata;

Ocimum, in particular Ocimum basilicum;

Capsicum, in particular Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum pubescens;

Mentha, in particular Mentha arvensis, Mentha requienii, Mentha spicata, Mentha longifolia, Mentha pulegium, Mentha suaveolens, Mentha aquatic, Mentha arvensis x spicata, Mentha aquatica x arvensis, Mentha x piperita;

Hibiscus, in particular Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Hibiscus schizopetalus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hibiscus syriacus, Hibiscus trionum, Hibiscus cannabinus;

Mandevilla/Dipladenia, in particular Mandevilla xamabilis, Mandevilla sanderi,

Mandevilla splendens;

Eustoma, in particular Eustoma russellianum, Eustoma exaltatum; Lavendula, in particular Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula latifolia, Lavandula lanata, Lavandula dentate, Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula pedunculata, Lavandula viridis;

Lillium, in particular Lilium bolanderi, Lilium ^χ burbankii, Lilium canadense, Lilium columbianum, Lilium grayi, Lilium humboldtii, Lilium kelleyanum, Lilium kelloggii, Lilium maritimum, Lilium michauxii, Lilium michiganense, Lilium occidentale, Lilium ^χ

pardaboldtii, Lilium pardalinum, Lilium parryi, Lilium parvum, Lilium philadelphicum, Lilium pitkinense, Lilium superbum, Lilium ollmeri, Lilium washingtonianum, Lilium wigginsii;

Clematis, in particular Clematis addisonii, Clematis albicoma, Clematis alpine,

Clematis aristata, Clematis armandii, Clematis baldwinii, Clematis bigelovii, Clematis brachiate, Clematis campaniflora, Clematis catesbyana, Clematis chinensis, Clematis chrysocoma, Clematis cirrhosa, Clematis coactilis, Clematis Columbiana, Clematis crispa, Clematis dioica, Clematis drummondii , Clematis durandii, Clematis ispahanica, Clematis fawcettii, Clematis flammula, Clematis florida, Clematis fremontii, Clematis glaucophylla, Clematis glycinoides, Clematis henryi Clematis hirsutissima, Clematis integrifolia, Clematis ^χ jackmanii, Clematis lanuginose, Clematis lasiantha, Clematis leptophylla, Clematis ligusticifolia, Clematis macropetala, Clematis marmoraria, Clematis microphylla, Clematis montana, Clematis morefieldii, Clematis napaulensis, Clematis occidentalis, Clematis ochroleuca, Clematis orientalis, Clematis palmeri, Clematis, Clematis patens, Clematis pauciflora, Clematis pickeringii, Clematis pitcher, Clematis recta, Clematis reticulate, Clematis rhodocarpa, Clematis smilacifolia, Clematis socialis, Clematis stans, Clematis tangutica, Clematis terniflora, Clematis ternifolia, Clematis texensis, Clematis versicolor, Clematis viorna, Clematis virginiana, Clematis vitalba, Clematis viticaulis, Clematis viticella;

Geranium, in particular Geranium cinereum, Geranium clarkei, Geranium dalmaticum, Geranium endressii, Geranium fremontii, Geranium himalayense, Geranium ibericum, Geranium macrorrhizum, Geranium maculatum, Geranium maderense, Geranium ^χ magnificum, Geranium phaeum, Geranium platypetalum, Geranium pretense, Geranium psilostemon, Geranium renardii, Geranium sanguineum, Geranium subcaulescens, Geranium sylvaticum;

Pelargonium, in particular Pelargonium crispum, Pelargonium grandiflorum, Pelargonium peltatum, Pelargonium graveolens, Pelargonium denticulatum,

Pelargonium x hortorum,, Pelargonium x asperum; Nicotiana, in particular Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana x sanderrae;

Bouvardia, in particular Bouvardia longiflora;

Vanilla, in particular Vanilla planifolia;

Ipomoea, in particular Ipomoea batatas;

Echinacea, in particular Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida;

Schisandra, in particular Schisandra chinensis, Schisandra glabra, Schisandra rubri flora;

Rhodiola, in particular Rhodiola rosea;

Leucanthemum, in particular Leucanthemum maximum, Leucanthemum paludosum, Leucanthemum x superbum, Leucanthemum vulgare, Leucanthemum adustum, Leucanthemum graminifolium, Leucanthemum integrifolium, Leucanthemum lacustre, Leucanthemum monspeliense, Leucanthemum pallens, Leucanthemum praecox, Leucanthemum subglaucum, Leucanthemum sylvaticum, Leucanthemum waldsteinii;

Strelitzia, in particular Strelitzia reginae, including interspecific hybrids within the genera, and progeny thereof. Intergeneric grafts of any of the above genera and interspecific grafts of any of the species within the genera are included as well.

In a particular embodiment, step (f) further comprises selecting a mature transformed mother plant, having not less than 80% of the branching as compared to the wild type plant of step (a) from which a transformed cutting is prepared in step (g).

Although gibberellin treated transformed plants as described herein tend to have a similar number of flowers as compared to the originating wild type plant, this selection step enables the generation of plants of intermediate height with a significant number of flowers in a more controlled manner. Said branching is more preferably not less than 90%, most preferably not less than 100%, i.e. having equal or more flowers as compared to the wild type plant of step (a).

Preferably, the above method comprises a step of assaying the presence of one or more rol genes originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes in said mature transformed mother plant. A possible assay is explained above, but the skilled person will be aware of any suitable and applicable assays. In view of attractive appearance, handling, storage and presentation, the mature plants of step (i) of the method preferably have a height of 10 - 30 cm, more preferably of 15 - 20 cm.

In an attractive embodiment, the above method further comprises the steps of subjecting, as a parent, the mature transformed plant of step (i) or progeny thereof, to a crossing event, and selection of the progeny. By further crossing the transformants, additional functions can be introduced, or present functions can be further improved or removed from the plant in later generations. The hybrids of the progeny can be further crossed and selected, and this can be repeated several round in order to arrive at the envisaged result.

In another embodiment, steps (a) - (f) are replaced by providing a mother plant, transformed with one or more genes originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, having a height of 70% or less of that of the corresponding wild type plant. Instead of performing the transformation of step (a) and preparing a transformed mother plant in the subsequent steps (b) - (f), it is also possible to obtain the transformed mother plant from elsewhere. It can very well be possible to purchase e.g. a plant, transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, having compact growth or dwarfism and use the said plant as transformed mother plant for performing steps (g) - (i) to provide mature plants having intermediate height.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a plant, obtained by the described method, or progeny thereof. The said plant preferably has a height of 25 - 75%, more preferably of 40 - 70% and most preferably of 50 - 65% of the height of the wild type plant of step (a) of the method. The height is preferably 10 - 30 cm, more preferably 15 - 20 cm.

The plant has preferably not less than 80% of the number of flowers and/or not having a delayed flowering time by more than 4 days as compared to a not transformed control plant. It has now found by the inventor that plants, transformed with

Agrobacterium rhizogenes, in particular rol transformed plants of the above genera and species, including interspecific hybrids and intergeneric grafts thereof, surprisingly have no significant loss in flower number, i.e. having at least 80%, but preferably at least 90% or 100% or even more (i.e. an increased flower number) of the number of flowers as compared to a not transformed control plant. The same is true for the delay in flowering, being preferably not later than 4 days, more preferably not later than 2 days as compared to a not transformed plant. In some transformants, flowering occurred even earlier as compared to the not transformed control plants.

In a particular embodiment, the plant is for use as ornamental plant or as cut flower, in particular belonging to any of the genera Strelitza, Aster, Chrysanthemum, Euphorbia, Hibiscus, Mandevilla, Nicotiana, Phaelanopsis, Rosa and Kalanchoe.

In another embodiment, the plant, is for use for the provision or preparation of food, or as source for an active ingredient for the preparation of a human or animal necessity, such as a medicament, a stimulant or a cosmetic. The term 'human or animal necessity' is meant herein to mean any product, comprising any plant part, compound, mixture of compounds or extract, derived from the said plant, for use by humans or animals, in particular by treatment of said humans or animals with such a product, in particular treatment of the body thereof, such as medical, cosmetical or stimulative treatment, or consumption of the product by the said animals or humans. Food as such is therefore also to be regarded as a human or animal necessity.

In the art, only visual evaluation of plants, transformed with A.rhizogenes including the field crop species Cichorum intybus (Belgian endive) and Nicotiana tabacum (tabacco) as source for an active ingredient for a stimulant (cigarettes) are described (Christensen and Muller, supra). The present inventor has however surprisingly found that such plants, comprising one or more Agrobacterium rhizogenes genes of the Ri plasmid, in particular ro/ genes originating from Agrobacterium rhizogenes, such as plants transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes or one or more ro/ genes thereof, which have been treated with gibberellin as described herein, or progeny of such plants, not only have intermediate height, which is particularly desired when such plants grow very high, impairing harvesting, but also have more concentrated contents as a result of a smaller cell volume. Without being bound to any theory, is it believed that the smaller size of such gibberellin treated transformants is at least partially due to less elongating plant cells and thus smaller cells. This is pronounced in that e.g. the fruits of rol transformed fruits such as peppers from Capsicum species, or vanilla from Vanilla planifolia, or herbs, such as basil (Ocimum basilicum) have an intensified taste as compared to non-transformed counterparts. The same is true for tomato, potato and monocots such as wheat, barley etc. The same is true for plants used as source for an active ingredient for the preparation of a medicament or a stimulant. Such plants, such as medicinal plants, have the active ingredient in a more concentrated fashion in their cells, therewith facilitating isolation and extraction thereof. In case of tobacco, comprising the stimulant nicotine, has a higher nicotine content, resulting in a more concentrated product. More details of use of plants, plant parts, compounds, and mixtures of compounds or extracts for use as human necessities are given in the examples.

The plant for use for the provision or preparation of food preferably belongs to any of the genera Vanilla, Ocimum, Capsicum, Ipomoea, Solanum, although any such plant is encompassed by the invention. The plant itself can be used as food, such as carrots, or fruits thereof, such as apples, pears, berries, etc. also, extracts can be prepared, such as e.g. tea.

The plant for use as source for an active ingredient for the preparation of a medicament or stimulant preferably belongs to any of the genera Kalanchoe, Solanum, Nicotiana, Rhodiola, Echinacea, Schisandra, Rosa, Hibscus and Chrysanthemum, rol transformed Kalanchoe comprises elevated levels of bryophillins, such as bryophillin A, having a strong anti tumor promoting activity, whereas rol transformed Schisandra contains elevated levels of schisandrin, desoxyschisandrin, gomisins and pregomisin. Echinacea, rol transformed and treated with gibberellin, has elevated levels of e.g.

propanoid and echinacoside.

Accordingly, the invention also relates to the use of a plant as described above, or part, extract or isolate thereof for the provision or preparation of food, or a human or animal necessity, such as a medicament, a stimulant or a cosmetic. For example, extract of leaves of rol transformed Chrystantenum morfolium or Hibiscus sabdariffa can be used for the preparation of tea, Rosa spp can be used for the preparation of perfumes etc.

In a very attractive aspect, the invention relates to a product, comprising a plant part, extract, compound or a mixture of two or more thereof, derived from a plant as described herein or progeny thereof. Said product can e.g., be chosen from the group, consisting of fruits, tubers, roots, leaves, food extracts, cosmetics, medicaments, perfumes. But such product is not limited thereto. For example, fruits such as peppers or tomatoes, or tubers such as potatoes have a more intense taste as from plants, not being transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes and subsequently treated with gibbrellin.

The following figures and examples are illustrative and do not limit the present application. Of course, it is understood that many variations and modifications can be made while remaining within the intended spirit and scope. Figure 1 shows a wild type (left) and Kalanchoe pinnata, transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (right), seven weeks after vegetative propagation long day conditions (light from 02:00 to 17:00). Three weeks after sticking the Kalachoe pinnata cutting the plants were moved to short day conditions for flower induction (light from 07:00 to 17:00). After 5 weeks under short day conditions, no flower buds were visible.

Figure 2 shows Kalanchoe pinnata ten weeks after vegetative propagation and 7 weeks into short day conditions for flower induction (light from 07:00 to 17:00) without (left) and with (right) gibberellin treatment. After 5 weeks and again after 7 weeks under short day conditions the plant to the right was sprayed to drop point with 1 ,25 mg GA3/L (ppm). The difference in flower formation between the untreated transformed Kalanchoe pinnata and the transformed Kalanchoe pinnata plant treated with GA3 is very clear. Flower formation and thus production time is significantly faster when rol transformed plants are treated with GA3.

Figure 3 shows Kalanchoe pinnata of figure 2, 22 weeks after vegetative propagation and 19 weeks into short day conditions for flower induction (light from 07:00 to 17:00). After 5 weeks and again after 7 weeks under short day conditions the plant to the right was sprayed to drop point with 1 ,25 mg GA3/L (ppm). Flower formation did occur in both plants eventually, but much faster in the GA3 treated plant. Flower formation and thus production time is significantly faster when rol transformed plants are treated with GA3.

Figure 4 shows wild type (left) and Kalanchoe pinnata, transformed with

Argobacterium rhizogenes (right), fifteen weeks after start of vegetative propagation and 12 weeks into short day conditions for flower induction (light from 07:00 to 17:00). After 5 weeks and again after 7 weeks under short day conditions the plants were sprayed to drop point with 1 ,25 mg GA3/L (ppm). The difference in flower formation between the wild type Kalanchoe pinnata (to the left) and the rol gene comprising transformed Kalanchoe pinnata plant (to the right) is very clear. Flower formation in the transformed Kalanchoe pinnata plant is very successful, whereas no flower formation is occurring in the wild type Kalanchoe pinnata (to the left).

Figure 5 shows transformed Solanum tuberosum 'Bintje' roots. Notice highly branched roots with elongated root hairs. Plantlets have been regenerated from the transformed roots, marked with red circles. Figure 6 shows Chrysanthemum 'var 85'. Figure 6A shows control leaflets that were not exposed to Agrobacterium rhizogenes. In the control plants only sporadic root formation, exclusively from petioles is observed. Figure 6B shows leaflets from where rol transformed hairy roots are formed (early stage). Root formation happens exclusively from the leaf perimeter.

Figure 7 shows Aster novi-belgii '134A'. Figure 7A shows leaflets that have not been exposed to Agrobacterium rhizogenes and no root formation can be observed. Figure 7B shows early stages of root formation from the leaf perimeter.

Figure 8 shows Solanum tuberosum 'Bintje'. Figure 8A shows leaflets that have not been exposed to Agrobacterium rhizogenes and some root formation from petioles is observed. Figure 8B clearly shows that hairy root formation takes place (early stage) from the root perimeter, but also from the central surface of the leaflet.

Figure 9 shows rol transformed Hibiscus sabdariffe roots. Root formation is occuring from the central surface of the leaflet.

Figure 10 shows transformed Kalanchoe interspecific hybrid 'NaomiQ2' roots.

Transformed roots are extremely hairy and root braching is occurring at an early stage.

Figure 1 1 shows transformed Bouvardia hybrid '8010-0017' roots. Transformed root are extremely hairy and root branching is occurring at an early stage.

Figure 12 shows transformed Leucanthemum roots. The transformed roots are extremely hairy and root branching is occurring at an early stage.

Figure 13 shows a shoot (red circle) regenerated from rol transformed root of Aster novi-belgii '134A'.

Figure 14 shows Aster novi-belgii Ί 34Α mother plants wild type (left) and transformed with Argobacterium rhizogenes (centre and right), fifteen weeks after start of vegetative propagation. After 5 weeks and again after 7, 9 and 1 1 weeks the centre plant were sprayed to drop point with 0,1 mg GA3/L (ppm). The difference in growth between the wild type Kalanchoe pinnata (to the left) and the rol transformed Aster novi-belgii '134A' mother plant (to the right) is very clear. The rol transformed plants are significantly more compact. Formation and growth of side shoots are clearly more pronounced in the rol transformed plant treated with GA3 (center) compared to the rol transformed control plant (to the right).

Figure 15 shows Aster novi-belgii Ί 34Α wild type (left) and transformed with Argobacterium rhizogenes (center and right), six weeks after start of vegetative propagation and two weeks into short day conditions for flower induction (light from 07:00 to 17:00). All plants were all pinched to the same height after four weeks. After 5 weeks the plant (center) were sprayed to drop point with 0,5 mg GA3/L (ppm). The difference in flower induction between the wild type Aster novi-belgii '134A' (to the left) and the rol transformed Aster novi-belgii '134A' plant treated with GA3 (center) is very clear. Plant growth and side shoot formation has increased in the GA3 treated and rol transformed Aster novi-belgii '134A' (center), compared to untreated rol transformed Aster novi-belgii '134A' (to the right).

Figure 16 shows Chrysantemum x morifolium '2012-0047' wild type (left) and transformed with Argobacterium rhizogenes (center and right), eight weeks after start of vegetative propagation and five weeks into short day conditions for flower induction (light from 07:00 to 17:00). After 5 weeks the plant (center) was sprayed to drop point with 0,75 mg GA3/L (ppm). The difference in plant height and flower induction between the wild type Chrysantemum x morifolium '2012-0047' (to the left) and the rol transformed Chrysantemum x morifolium '2012-0047' plant treated with GA3 (center) is very clear. Plant growth and side shoot formation has increased in the GA3 treated and rol transformed Aster novi-belgii '134A' (center), compared to untreated rol transformed Aster novi-belgii '134A' (to the right).

Figure 17 shows Rosa hybrida '2014-0004' wild type (left) and transformed with Argobacterium rhizogenes (center and right), eight weeks after start of vegetative propagation and four weeks after pinching. All plants were pinched to the same height after four weeks. After 5 and 7 weeks the plant (center) was sprayed to drop point with 0,25 mg GA3/L (ppm). The difference in flower induction between the wild type Rosa hybrida '2014-0004' (to the left) and the rol transformed Rosa hybrida '2014-0004' plant treated with GA3 (center) is very clear, flower buds are visible in the rol transformed and GA3 treated plant (center). Internodes are clearly longest in wild type plant (right), intermediate in GA3 treated and rol transformed (center) and shortest in rol transformed Rosa hybrida '2014-0004' untreated control. Plant growth, flower and side shoot formation has increased in the GA3 treated and rol transformed Rosa hybrida '2014- 0004' (center), compared to untreated rol transformed rol transformed Rosa hybrida '2014-0004' (to the right).

Figure 18 shows Euphorbia milii '2014-0810' wild type (left) and transformed with Argobacterium rhizogenes (center and right), eight weeks after start of vegetative propagation. After 4 and 6 weeks the plant (center) was sprayed to drop point with 1 ,0 mg GA3/L (ppm). Internodes are clearly longest in wild type plant (right), intermediate in GA3 treated and rol transformed (center) and shortest in rol transformed Euphorbia milii '2014-0810' untreated control.

Figure 19 depicts an illustrative A. rhizogenes Ri-plasmid from an agropine strain. The T-DNA contains two segments, T_L and T_R, which are separated by a 15Kb sequence that is not integrated. The T_L-DNA contains 18 open reading frames (ORFs) where the four root loci-genes reside. The T_R-DNA contains several genes, including auxl and aux2.

EXAMPLE 1 : Transformation Materials and Methodology

Plant material

In vivo plants of Kalanchoe pinnata (Knud Jepsen A/S, Hinnerup, Denmark and AgroTech a/s, Tastrup, Denmark) were cultivated in a greenhouse with temperatures of 20°C at day and night, 16 hour day length and a light intensity of 260 μηιοΙ photons m^"2 s^~ . In vitro plants were cultivated in growth chamber with temperatures of 25°C at day and 22°C at night, 13 hour day length and a light intensity of 75 μηιοΙ photons m^"2 s^" .

Leaf explants for each species/hybrid were used for control experiment. Leaves derived from in vivo material were sterilised in 70% EtOH for 1 min. followed by 20 min. in 1 % NaOCI (VWR, Copenhagen, Denmark) and 0,03% (v/v) Tween 20 (Merck, La Jolla, USA) and washed 3 times in sterile water and were stored until excision.

Bacterial strain

Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain ATCC43057 (A4) (kindly provided by Dr. Margareta Welander, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden) was used for induction of hairy roots. The strain was cultured in liquid MYA medium (Tepfer and Cassedelbart (1987) Microbiol Sci. 4, pp. 24-28. 1 mL of the bacterial glycerol stock (kept at -80°C) was diluted in 10mL MYA in a 50mL Falcon tube and incubated for 8h at 27°C and shaken at 260 rpm. The solution was further diluted with 100mL MYA in a 250mL flask and shaken at 260 rpm for 24h in darkness at 27°C. The OD₆₀₀ = 0,4-0,6 was measured on Nanodrop 1000 (Thermo Scientific, Wilmington, DE, USA).

Transformation

Sterilized leaves or in vitro plant were excised to pieces of min 1 cm x 1 cm and stored in sterile water until all explants were ready. The water was discarded from the explants and A. r/7/zogenes-suspension was added to cover all explants for 30 min. After 30 min. the A. r/7/zogenes-suspension was discarded and the slices were transferred, with a thin layer of the A. rhizogenes suspension on the surface, to co- cultivation plates for 24 h in darkness without selection. The explants were cultivated in the lab at temperatures at 22°C in darkness. After co-cultivation the explants were transferred to 0-media (selection media) by drying the explants with pieces of ripped sterile filter paper. The leaf surface was as dry as possible on both sides of the excised leaf. The explants stayed in darkness until roots were developed enough to be transferred to regeneration media. The material was transformed over three sessions. The transformation was conducted with K. pinnata (see figure 1-4), Kalanchoe gastonis- bonnieri interspecific hybrid Tropical Parfait' (see figure 5), Kalanchoe humilis (see figure 6) and Aster novo-belgii (see figure 7). For each species the controls and putative transformants was performed the same day.

Basic medium

The basic medium used as background of all media used was ½ x MS (Sigma M0404) (consisting of Murashige and Skoog macro- and microelements) (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) at a concentration of 2,2 g L- , 30 g L- sucrose (table sugar), 7g L- bacto agar and 0,50 g L- 2-(N-morpholino)-ethanesulphonic acid (MES) (Duchefa). The pH was adjusted to 6.3 by 1 M KOH and the media was autoclaved at 121 °C and 103,5kPa. Co-cultivation medium

Co-cultivation medium used for co-cultivation between explant and A. rhizogenes consisted of basic medium with 30 μg ml.^"1 acetosyringone (Sigma-Aldrich, Steinheim, Germany).

Selection medium

Selection medium was a hormone-free medium used for root formation of putatively transformed explants and controls. Filter-sterilized antibiotics were added after autoclaving to the selection media to the basic medium. Selection media consist of basic media ½ x MS medium with timentin (TIM) in the concentration of 100mg L- . Preferably, the selection medium contains arginine, preferably 0.5 mM arginine.

Regeneration media

Regeneration medium containing the hormone N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N- phenylurea (CPPU) was used for regeneration of nodules on the putatively transformed root clusters. Filter-sterilised hormones and antibiotics were added after autoclaving to the regeneration media. The CPPU-medium contained basic ½ x MS medium with1.5gU L- CPPU together with TIM in the concentration 100mg L- . Co-cultivation

In all treatments the explants were co-cultivated for 24 hours. After co- cultivation, the explants were blotted onto sterile filter paper and thoroughly dried with ripped pieces of sterilised filter paper. Controls and putatively transformed explants were transferred to selection medium.

Plant selection

After 24 hours of co-cultivation the explants were transferred to 0-media (selection medium) with 8 explants on each Petridish. After several weeks the increasing number of roots and decreasing number of explants (due to vitrification - the leaf sections became glass like or because of infections) were monitored for the specific Petri dish in the treatment.

Plant regeneration

When the roots of putatively transformed explants had developed to a length of 1.5-2 cm they were transferred in clusters, with a part of the explant to CPPU-medium. The transferred root clusters were placed in a climate chamber (Celltherm, United Kingdom) on shelves with 1 1 h daylight and day/night temperatures of 20/18°C and an intensity of 45-70μηιοΙ photons m^-2s^-1 (Philips, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Only root clusters with A. rhizogenes treated explants was transferred. Here the number of root clusters was monitored as well as the number of nodules developing from the roots. Counting of nodule development was stopped when no positive development was observed after 30 days for any of the four species.

Control plants

Control plants were treated like transformants but inoculated in MYA medium without bacteria and with a lower number of explants-25 per cultivar. The control experiment plants were conducted in parallel with the transformants.

Plant growth conditions

Plants described herein were grown in a greenhouse according to day length and temperatures as described in tables 1 and 2 below. The plants were produced in pots with a diameter of 10.5 cm or 13 cm. Cuttings were taken from vegetative (veg.) plants and grown and kept vegetative for the first 3-8 weeks following planting, depending on cultivar, species, genus and pot size. The plants described in table 1 were transferred to flower inducing conditions 4-9 weeks after planting. Between 13-19 weeks after planting, depending on cultivar, species genus, pot size, and time of year, the plants entered their generative (gen.) stage - were mature with flowers that were opening or about to open. The plants were grown under natural light conditions supplemented with 70 μηιοΙ photons m^-2 s- SON-T light when the natural light was less than 100 μηιοΙ/ηΊ²^. All plants, except Phaelanopsis and Vanilla, were grown in a peat based soil mix and were watered with a solution containing 200 parts per million (ppm) nitrogen, 200 ppm potassium, 40 ppm phosphorous, 200 ppm calcium, 40 ppm magnesium, 60 ppm sulphate, 1 ppm iron, 0.6 ppm manganese, 0.1 ppm copper, 0.1 ppm zinc, 0.3 ppm borium, 0.03 ppm molybdenum. For all plants, except Phaelanopsis and Vanilla, shading with curtains was active when light intensity was higher than 450 μηιοΙ photons m^"2 s^" and humidity was kept in the range between 60-80% relative humidity.

Table 1 : Growth conditions

Phaelanopsis and Vanilla were grown in a bark based soil mix and were watered with a solution containing 50 parts per million (ppm) nitrogen, 50 ppm potassium, 10 ppm phosphorous, 50 ppm calcium, 10 ppm magnesium, 15 ppm sulphate, 0.2 ppm iron, 0.1 ppm manganese, 0.01 ppm copper, 0.01 ppm zinc, 0.05 ppm borium, 0.005 ppm molybdenum.

Vanilla and Phaelanopsis plants were grown under natural light conditions. Shading with curtains was active when light intensity was higher than 250 μηιοΙ photons m^"2 s^" and humidity was keep in the range between 80-90% relative humidity.

Table 2: Growth conditions for Vanilla and Phaelanopsis plants

Molecular analysis

DNA was isolated with DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) from root clusters (and nodules) on regeneration medium. Half of a root cluster was harvested for DNA extraction from each of the genera/species. The concentration was measured on NanoDrop 1000 (Thermo Scientific, Wilmington, DE, USA). Concentrations were measured to 2 - 5 ng/μΙ. PCR on DNA was preformed with a concentration of 15ng with the three specific primers (see Table 1 below) to amplify the ro/B gene on the T_L-DNA and KdActin and VirD2 as controls. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added to the PCR reaction to obtain a better unfolding of the DNA. The following temperature program was applied for amplification in the DNA thermal cycler (MyCycler, Biorad, Hercules, California, USA): 95°C for 10 min. (initial denaturation) followed by 40 cycles 95°C for 30 sec. (denaturation), 58°C for 30 sec. (annealing) and 72°C for 15 sec. (elongation), with a final 7 min. elongation at 72°C. The amplified fragments sequences were mixed with orange G (Sigma-Aldrich, SteinHeim, Germany) (40% sucrose (w/v) and 1.5% Orange G (w/v) and Gelred (Biotium, Hayward, CA, USA) and fractionated in 1 % TAE agarose gel. Other rol genes or other gene sequences from A. rhizogenes in particular from the T_L- and T_R-DNA of the Ri plasmid can also be identified in a similar way, known to the skilled person. Table 3: Primer Sequences SEQ ID NOS 9-18, respectively, in order of appearance (Lutken et al.,Euphytica DOI 10.1007/s10681-012-0701 -5.)

Statistical analysis

K. pinnata functioned as a reference of the transformation. Similarly, control explants had five replicates but 5 explants per species/hybrids with a total of 25 per species/hybrids. Since the explants may be taken out of the experiment because of infection, the number of explants changed over time. The total number of explants was therefore monitored to obtain a better ratio between number of explants and formation of roots. The number of roots was monitored as the number increased. The average of surviving explants per petri dish and the average of roots per petri dish were calculated. The two averages were used to calculate a ratio for each petri dish to describe the number of roots per explants.

V_max (root development/days) was modelled with a linear regression and using the slope. Standard deviations (SD) and students f-test (f-test) were calculated in Excel for each observation to verify variation within the individual species/hybrids. ANOVA test was performed with R (R is a free software environment for statistical computing).

Gibberellin treatment

For gibberellin treatments, the product Berelex (9,6% gibberellic acid A3, GA3, Valent Biosciences, 870 Technology Way, Libertyville, IL, USA) or other GA3 based products was used. Said products were diluted 50.000 to 1.000.000 times. The plants were treated with 0,1 to 2,0 ppm Berelex (GA3) suspensions. Plants are e.g. grown in a greenhouse with a plant density ranging from 25 to 600 plants per m². The suspension was sprayed onto the plants with a volume ranging e.g. from 100 ml to 1 Itr per m² per treatment. 1 to 10 treatments were applied to the plants in their growing cycle, depending on the height of the plant as compared to the non-transformed control plant and the envisaged intermediate height to be obtained.

In addition to growth to intermediate height it was found that the flowering of rol transformed plants was affected by the application of gibberellic acid to the exterior of the plants.

It is quite well known by people skilled in the art of producing Kalanchoe pinnata, this species is challenging to trigger into flowering by short day treatment alone. It was now observed that rol transformed plants were responding more efficient to short day treatment than non transformed control plants (Figure 3 and 4). After 5 weeks under short day conditions (light from 07:00 to 17:00) the plants were sprayed to drop point with 1 ,25 mg GA3/L (ppm) (from Berelex tablets, containing 9,6% gibberellic acid A3 isomer, Syngenta). This treatment was repeated after 7 weeks under short day conditions. In addition to plants growing to intermediate height, the difference in flower formation between the untreated rol transformed and the rol transformed plant treated with GA3 was very clear, in particular with regard to growing of the plants to intermediate height when mature. Further, flower formation and thus production time was significantly faster when rol transformed plants were treated with GA3. In Kalanchoe pinnata, flower formation appeared, to be absent or non significant in non transformed control plants. For other plants, reference is made to the above description of the figures.

Results

The experiments involved a natural transformation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes to study the transformation efficiency for different species and hybrids and for plain material from in vivo and in vitro. The plants belonging to the species as described above were transformed with the conditions that were found optimal for K blossfeldiana 'Molly' by Christensen et ai, (2008) or slightly changed for optimalisation for each of the species. K blossfeldiana 'Molly' was used as a control within the transformants since the cultivar formed background of the transformation system. Gibberellin treatment was performed as described above.

Root induction and growth were monitored as a total number of roots per petri dish in each treatment. Since some explants were removed due to infection the total number of explants over time was also monitored. This was done to obtain a more unbiased assessment when calculating the number of roots per explant in each plant line.

Root development on 0-media

Root formation was found to take place in the following species; Strelitzia reginae, Aster novi-belgii, Aster dumosus, Chrysantemum morifolium, Chrysantemum x morifolium (syn. C. x grandiflorum e.g.Dendranthema hybrids, or hybrids between Chrysantemum morifolium and other Chrysantemum species e.g. Chrysanthemum indicum, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia milii, Bouvardia longiflora, Hibiscus rosa- sinensis, Hibiscus schizopetalus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hibiscus syriacus, Hibiscus trionum, Hibiscus cannabinus, Mandevilla *amabilis, Mandevilla sanderi, Mandevilla splendens, Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana x sanderrae, Phalaenopsis amabilis, Phalaenopsis amboinensis, Phalaenopsis aphrodite, Phalaenopsis appendiculata, Vanilla planifolia, Ocimum basilicum, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum pubescens, Ipomoea batatas, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum tuberosum, Solanum nicotiana, Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, Rosa hybrida, Rosa canina, Rosa spinosissima, Rosa damascena "trigintipetala', Rosa centi folia, Schisandra chinensis, Schisandra glabra, Schisandra rubriflora, Rhodiola rosea, Kalanchoe pinnata, Kalanchoe marmorata, Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri, Kalanchoe dixoniana, Kalanchoe humilis, Kalanchoe laciniata, and was transferred to regeneration medium no later than 100 days After transfer to 0-media. At the time of the first time of transfer to regeneration medium putative transformants from Strelitzia reginae, Aster novi-belgii, Aster dumosus, Chrysantemum morifolium, Chrysantemum x morifolium (syn. C. x grandiflorum e.g.Dendranthema hybrids, or hybrids between Chrysantemum morifolium and other Chrysantemum species e.g. Chrysanthemum indicum, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia milii, Bouvardia longiflora, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Hibiscus schizopetalus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hibiscus syriacus, Hibiscus trionum, Hibiscus cannabinus, Mandevilla *amabilis, Mandevilla sanderi, Mandevilla splendens, Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana x sanderrae Phalaenopsis amabilis, Phalaenopsis amboinensis, Phalaenopsis aphrodite, Phalaenopsis appendiculata, Vanilla planifolia, Ocimum basilicum, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum pubescens, Ipomoea batatas, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum tuberosum, Solanum nicotiana, Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, Rosa hybhda, Rosa canina, Rosa spinosissima, Rosa damascena "trigintipetala', Rosa centifolia, Schisandra chinensis, Schisandra glabra, Schisandra rubriflora, Rhodiola rosea, Kalanchoe pinnata, Kalanchoe marmorata, Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri, Kalanchoe dixoniana, Kalanchoe humilis, Kalanchoe laciniata, were significantly different from control.

Possible use of transformed and gibberellin treated plants according to the invention

Kalanchoe

Examples:

• Kalanchoe pinnata

• Kalanchoe marmorata

• Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri interspefic hybrid Tropical ParfaiV

• Kalanchoe dixoniana

· Kalanchoe humilis

• Kalanchoe laciniata interspefic hybrid 'Amazing Pink'

Current use primarily as an ornamental plant. An intermediate plant height and increased branching was observed as compared to non-transformed and non gibberellin treated plants. Also content of secondary metabolites e.g. bryophillin A, showing strong anti-tumor promoting activity does make this genus/species interesting as a medicinal plant. Kalanchoe, in particular K pinnata also contains -coumaric acid, Ferulic acid, Syringic acid, Caffeic acid, citric acid, isocitric acid, malic acid, P-hydroxybenzoic acid, Flavnoids as quercetin, kaem pferol, Quercetin-3-diarabinoside, Kaempferol-3-glucoside, Quercetin-3-L-rhamnosido-L-arabino furanoside, η-hentricontane, η-tritriacontane, Sitosterol. Studies showed that several of these compounds exhibited higher concentrations in rol transformed plants.

Any of these compounds can be isolated from Kalanchoe and used as or in a human or animal necessity such as a medicament. Plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the rol genes and treated with gibberellin exhibited higher concentrations compared to control. Rosa

Examples:

• Rosa hybrida

• Rosa canina

· Rosa spinosissima

• Rosa damascena 'Trigintipetala'

• Rosa centifolia

Current use primarily as an ornamental plant. An intermediate plant height and increased branching is observed as compared to non-transformed controls, making it possible to have sufficient branching from fewer cuttings per pot. Rosa is also having significant use in the perfume industry. In Europe, Rosa damascena 'Trigintipetala' is particularly used, and Rosa centifolia in other parts of the world. The main constituents are the fragrant alcohols geraniol and l-citronellol and rose camphor. β-Damascenone is also a significant contributor to the scent. Plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of

A.rhizogenes comprising the rol genes and treated with gibberellin exhibited higher concentrations compared to control.

Strelitzia

Example:

· Strelitzia reginae

Mainly used as a cut flower because of its size. A significant reduction in plant height to intermediate value and also significantly in production time (time to flowering) is observed in plants, transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes comprising the Ri plasmid and treated with gibberellin.

Aster

Example:

• Aster novi-belgii

• Aster dumosus

Mainly used as potted plant and cut flower. An intermediate plant height and increased branching is observed as compared to non-transformed non gibberellin treated controls, making it possible to have sufficient branching from fewer cuttings per pot. Chrysantemum

Examples:

• Chrysanthemum morifolium

• Chrysanthemum indicum

· Chrysanthemum x morifolium (Dendranthema hybrids)

Mainly used as potted plant and cut flower, but also as ingredient in Chrysanthemum tea (Chrysanthemum indicum). Intermediate plant height and increased branching was observed in transformants making it possible to have sufficient branching from fewer cuttings per pot when using the plants as potted plants. Flavor of tea extracts made from Ri-transformed Chrysanthemum indicum and Chrysanthemum morifolium appeared to be more intense than that of not transformed and not gibberellin treated counterparts.

Euphorbia

Example:

· Euphorbia milii

• Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia)

Mainly used as an ornamental plant. An intermediate plant height and increased branching was observed as compared to non-transformed non gibberellin treated plants, making it possible to have sufficient branching without pinching and from fewer cuttings per pot.

Hibiscus

Examles

• Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

· Hibiscus schizopetalus

• Hibiscus sabdariffa

• Hibiscus syriacus

• Hibiscus trionum

• Hibiscus cannabinus

Mainly used as potted plant or ornamental garden plants in temperate areas (Hibiscus syriacus) and in the tropics/subtropics (all species). Intermediate plant height and increased branching is observed in transformants making it possible to have sufficient branching without pinching and from fewer cuttings per pot. Hibiscus flowers contain anthocyanins, and plants transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the ro/ genes and treated with gibberellin exhibited higher concentrations as compared to control.

Dipladenia/Mande villa

Examples:

• Mandevilla xamabilis

• Mandevilla sanderi

• Mandevilla splendens

Mainly used as potted plant or ornamental garden plants in tropics/subtropics. In transformants, intermediate plant height and increased branching was observed making it possible to have sufficient branching without pinching and from fewer cuttings per pot. Costly work attaching the plants to a physical fixture will not be needed in rol transformants, treated with gibberellin. Nicotiana

Examples:

• Nicotiana tabacum

Mainly used as crop plants for the production of tabacco. Tobacco leaves normally contain 2 to 8% nicotine and plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the rol genes exhibited higher concentrations compared to control.

• Nicotiana sylvestris

• Nicotiana x sanderrae,

Mainly used as ornamental/bedding plants. An intermediate plant height and increased branching was observed making it possible to have sufficient branching without pinching and from fewer cuttings per pot.

Bouvardia

Example:

• Bouvardia longiflora

Mainly used as potted plant and cut flower. In transformed plants, an intermediate plant height and increased branching is observed making it possible to have sufficient branching from fewer cuttings per pot with less chemical growth regulation needed. Phaelanopsis

Example:

• Phalaenopsis amabilis

• Phalaenopsis amboinensis

· Phalaenopsis Aphrodite

• Phalaenopsis appendiculata

Used as potted plant and cut flower, the largest potted plant product (produced numbers and turnover) in Europe. An intermediate plant height and increased branching was observed in transformed plants, treated with gibberellin, making it possible to have more spikes per plant using less chemical growth regulation with expected higher prices on the market.

Vanilla planifolia

Vanilla is one of the primary sources for vanilla flavouring, due to its high vanillin content (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) and plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the ro/ genes and treated with gibberellin exhibited

intermediate growth and higher concentrations of vanillin compared to control.

Basil

Example:

• Ocimum basilicum

Mainly used as an edible plant. The leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell, due to its content of metylchavicol, kineol and linalool.

Plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the rol genes and treated with gibberellin exhibited intermediate height and contained higher

concentrations compared to control.

Capsicum

Examples:

· Capsicum annuum,

• Capsicum baccatum,

• Capsicum chinense,

• Capsicum frutescens,

• Capsicum pubescens. Mainly used as spices and food vegetables, but Capsicum containing capsaicin (methyl vanillyl nonenamide), has also found use in medicines to stimulate blood circulation or to relieve pain. Plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the rol genes and treated with gibberellin exhibited intermediate height and contained higher concentrations capsaicin compared to control.

Ipomoea

Example:

• Ipomoea batatas

Known as sweet potato. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are a root vegetable. Besides starches, sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber and in beta-carotene (a provitamin A carotenoid), while having moderate contents of other minerals and vitamins, including vitamin B5, vitamin B6, manganese and potassium. Plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the rol genes and treated with gibberellin exhibited intermediate height and contained higher concentrations of the minerals and vitamins compared to control.

Tomato

Example:

· Solarium lycopersicum

The tomato is the edible, often red/orange/yellow/greenish fruit/berry. The fruit contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, has been linked with reduced risks of colorectal, gastric, lung, prostate, and pancreas cancer. We observe intermediate plant height and increased branching making it possible to use the plant also as a houseplant with edible fruits or in gardens with limited space available. Furthermore we noticed that content of lycopene increased in fruits of plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the rol genes and treated with gibberellin. Potato

Example

• Solanum tuberosum

The potato is and edible plant, containing vitamins and minerals, as well as an assortment of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids and natural phenols. Intermediate plant height and increased branching was observed making it possible to use the plant also as a garden plant with edible tubers in gardens with limited space available Furthermore it was noticed that content of vitamin and mineral content increased in tuber of rol transformed potato plants, treated with gibberellin. Also, a more intense taste was observed.

Solanum nicotianum

Solanum nicotianum is an intergeneric graft chimera of Nicotiana tabacum L. and

Solanum laciniatum (Kaddoura, R.L. and Mantell, S.H., (1991 ) Ann Bot 68 (6): 547-556, and used as an ornamental plant. An intermediate plant height and increased branching is observed as compared to non-transformed and non-gibberellin treated controls, making it possible to have sufficient branching from fewer cuttings per pot.

Echinacea

Examples:

• Echinacea purpurea

• Echinacea angustifolia,

• Echinacea pallida

Echinacea is mainly used for herbal medicines - containing phenyl propanoid, echinacoside. The constituent base for Echinacea is complex, consisting of a wide variety of chemicals of variable effect and potency. The range of active substances have antimicrobial, stimulating or modulating effects on different parts of the immune system. All species contain phenols, phenyl propanoid constituents such as cichoric acid and caftaric acid are present in E. purpurea, other phenols include echinacoside. Other chemical constituents that may be important in echinacea health effects include alkylamides and polysaccharides. The immunomodulatory effects of echinacea preparations are likely caused by fat-soluble alkylamides (alkamides), Alkylamides have similar potency to that of THC at the CB2 receptor, with THC being around 1.5 times stronger (~40 nm vs ~60 nm affinities). However, potency is dramatically less than that of THC at the psychoactive CB1 receptor (~40 nm vs ~ >1500 nm affinities). It was now observed that concentration of a range of chemical content increased in parts of plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the rol genes and treated with gibberellin. Furthermore intermediate plant height and increased branching was observed making it possible to use the plant also as a house/garden plant with ornamental value.

Schisandra

Examples:

• Schisandra chinensis

• Schisandra glabra

• Schisandra rubriflora (ornamental use)

The berries of Schisandra are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Chemical constituents include the lignans schisandrin, deoxyschisandrin, gomisins, and pregomisin, which are found in the seeds of the fruit. It was observed that concentration of a range of chemical content increased plant parts of plants, transformed with the Ri plasmid of A.rhizogenes comprising the ro/ genes and treated with gibberellin.

Furthermore intermediate plant height and increased branching was observed, making it possible to use the plant also as a house/garden plant with ornamental value.

Rhodiola

Example:

• Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola has been used in herbal medicine in China, Russia and Scandinavia to better cope with the cold Siberian weather. The aerial portion is consumed as food in some parts of the world, sometimes added to salads. The root and other plant parts contain rosavin, rosarin, rosin and salidroside (and sometimes p-tyrosol, rhodioniside, rhodiolin and rosiridin. In addition to intermediate height, it was observed that the concentration of a range of chemical contents increased in plant parts of rol transformed plants, treated with gibberellin. The plant is quite slow growing and the ornamental value of the plant is limited.

Claims

Method for obtaining a plant having a height of less than the height of a corresponding wild type plant, comprising the steps of:

(a) transforming tissue of the wild type plant with one or more genes

originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes,

(b) allowing the transformed tissue to develop roots,

(c) selecting a putatively transformed root having a hairy root phenotype;

(d) growing the selected root on a regeneration medium;

(e) allowing a transformed rooted plantlet to generate from said root;

(f) growing said transformed rooted plantlet into a mature transformed

mother plant having a height of 70% or less of that of the corresponding wild type plant;

(g) preparing a transformed cutting from the mature transformed mother plant, or from progeny thereof,

(h) allowing a rooted transformed plantlet to develop from the transformed cutting,

(i) treating the rooted transformed plantlet with gibberellin, therewith allowing the plantlet to develop in a mature plant having a height between the height of the transformed mother plant of step (f) and the height of the wild type plant of step (a).

Method of claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises co-cultivating A. rhizogenes with a plant or plant part, allowing A. rhizogenes to deliver the said one or more genes of the Ri plasmid into said plant or plant part.

Method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more genes originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes comprises one or more ro/ genes.

Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein step (a) comprises infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes.

Method according to claim 4, wherein the Agrobacterium rhizogenes is wild-type Agrobacterium rhizogenes.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mature transformed mother plant of step (f) has a height of less than 65%, preferably less than 50%, and more preferably less than 25% of the height of the wild type plant of step (a).

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, step (f) further comprising treating the transformed rooted plantlet with gibberellin before the transformed rooted plantlet reaches maturity.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, step (i) comprising repeating treatment with gibberellin before the transformed plantlet reaches maturity.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein step (i) comprises allowing the plantlet to develop in a mature plant having a height of up to 75% of the height of the wild type plant of step (a).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein step (i) comprises allowing the plantlet to develop in a mature plant having a height of up to 70%, preferably up to 65% of the height of the wild type plant of step (a).

1 1 . Method according to claim 10, wherein step (i) comprises allowing the plantlet to develop in a mature plant having a height of at least 40%, preferably at least 50% of the height of the wild type plant of step (a).

12. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wild type plant of step (a) belongs to any of the following genera:

- Kalanchoe, in particular K. blossfeldiana, K. laciniata, K. pinnata, K.

marmorata, K. gastonis-bonnieri, K. dixoniana, K. humilis, K. ambolensis, K. aromatica, K. campanulata, K. citrina, K. coccinea, K. crundallii, K.

daigremontiana, K. decumbens, K. faustii, K. fedtschenkoi, K. figueredoi, K. flammea, K. glaucescens, K. gracilipes, K. grandiflora, K. guignardii, K. jongmansii, K. laciniata, K.latisepela, K. laxi flora, K. lobata, K. longi flora, K. manginii, K. nyikae, K. obtuse, K. paniculata, K. porphyrocalyx, K. prittwitzii, K. pubescens, K. pumila, K. rauhii, K. rotundifolia, K. scapigera, K.

schumacherii, K. spathulata, K. streptantha, K. synsepala, K. tomentosa, K. thyrsi flora, K. tubi flora, K. uniflora;

- Chrysantemum, in particular Chrysantemum morifolium, Chrysantemum x morifolium (syn. C. x grandiflorum e.g.Dendranthema hybrids, or hybrids between Chrysantemum morifolium and other Chrysantemum species, such as Chrysanthemum indicum;

- Aster, in particular Aster novi-belgii, Aster dumosus;

- Rosa, in particular Rosa hybrida, Rosa canina, Rosa spinosissima, Rosa damascena "trigintipetala', Rosa centi folia;

- Solanum, in particular Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum tuberosum, Solanum nicotiana;

- Euphorbia, in particular Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia milii;

- Phaelanopsis, in particular Phalaenopsis amabilis, Phalaenopsis amboinensis, Phalaenopsis aphrodite, Phalaenopsis appendiculata;

- Ocimum, in particular Ocimum basilicum;

-Capsicum, in particular Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum pubescens;

- Mentha, in particular Mentha arvensis, Mentha requienii, Mentha spicata, Mentha longifolia, Mentha pulegium, Mentha suaveolens, Mentha aquatic, Mentha arvensis x spicata, Mentha aquatica x arvensis, Mentha x piperita; - Hibiscus, in particular Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Hibiscus schizopetalus, -

Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hibiscus syriacus, Hibiscus trionum, Hibiscus cannabinus;

- Mandevilla/Dipladenia, in particular Mandevilla xamabilis, Mandevilla sanderi, Mandevilla splendens;

- Eustoma, in particular Eustoma russellianum, Eustoma exaltatum;

- Lavendula, in particular Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula;

latifolia, Lavandula lanata, Lavandula dentate, Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula pedunculata, Lavandula viridis;

- Lillium, in particular Lilium bolanderi, Lilium ^χ burbankii, Lilium canadense, Lilium columbianum, Lilium grayi, Lilium humboldtii, Lilium kelleyanum, Lilium kelloggii, Lilium maritimum, Lilium michauxii, Lilium michiganense, Lilium occidentale, Lilium ^χ pardaboldtii, Lilium pardalinum, Lilium parryi, Lilium parvum, Lilium philadelphicum, Lilium pitkinense, Lilium superbum, Lilium ollmeri, Lilium washingtonianum, Lilium wigginsii; - Clematis, in particular Clematis addisonii, Clematis albicoma, Clematis alpine, Clematis aristata, Clematis armandii, Clematis baldwinii, Clematis bigelovii, Clematis brachiate, Clematis campaniflora, Clematis catesbyana, Clematis chinensis, Clematis chrysocoma, Clematis cirrhosa, Clematis coactilis, Clematis Columbiana, Clematis crispa, Clematis dioica, Clematis drummondii , Clematis durandii, Clematis ispahanica, Clematis fawcettii, Clematis flammula, Clematis florida, Clematis fremontii, Clematis glaucophylla, Clematis glycinoides, Clematis henryi Clematis hirsutissima, Clematis integrifolia, Clematis x jackmanii, Clematis lanuginose, Clematis lasiantha, Clematis leptophylla, Clematis ligusticifolia, Clematis macropetala, Clematis marmoraria, Clematis microphylla, Clematis montana, Clematis morefieldii, Clematis napaulensis, Clematis occidentalis, Clematis ochroleuca, Clematis orientalis, Clematis palmeri, Clematis, Clematis patens, Clematis pauciflora, Clematis pickeringii, Clematis pitcher, Clematis recta, Clematis reticulate, Clematis rhodocarpa, Clematis smilacifolia, Clematis socialis, Clematis stans, Clematis tangutica, Clematis terniflora, Clematis ternifolia, Clematis texensis, Clematis versicolor, Clematis viorna, Clematis virginiana, Clematis vitalba, Clematis viticaulis, Clematis viticella;- Geranium, in particular Geranium cinereum, Geranium clarkei, Geranium dalmaticum, Geranium endressii, Geranium fremontii, Geranium himalayense, Geranium ibericum, Geranium macrorrhizum, Geranium maculatum, Geranium maderense, Geranium x magnificum, Geranium phaeum, Geranium platypetalum, Geranium pretense, Geranium psilostemon, Geranium renardii, Geranium sanguineum, Geranium subcaulescens, Geranium sylvaticum;

- Pelargonium, in particular Pelargonium crispum, Pelargonium grandiflorum, Pelargonium peltatum, Pelargonium graveolens, Pelargonium denticulatum, Pelargonium x hortorum,, Pelargonium x asperum;

- Nicotiana, in particular Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana x sanderrae;

- Bouvardia, in particular Bouvardia longiflora;

- Vanilla, in particular Vanilla planifolia;

- Ipomoea, in particular Ipomoea batatas;

- Echinacea, in particular Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angusti folia, Echinacea pallida;

- Schisandra, in particular Schisandra chinensis, Schisandra glabra,

Sc hi sandra rubri flora;

- Rhodiola, in particular Rhodiola rosea;

- Leucanthemum, in particular Leucanthemum maximum, Leucanthemum paludosum, Leucanthemum x superbum, Leucanthemum vulgare,

Leucanthemum adustum, Leucanthemum graminifolium, Leucanthemum integri foli urn, Leucanthemum lacustre, Leucanthemum monspeliense, Leucanthemum pallens, Leucanthemum praecox, Leucanthemum

subglaucum, Leucanthemum sylvaticum, Leucanthemum waldsteinii;

- Strelitzia, in particular Strelitzia reginae,

including interspecific hybrids within the genera, and progeny thereof.

13. Method of any of the preceding claims, step (f) further comprising selecting a mature transformed mother plant, having not less than 80% of the branching as compared to the wild type plant of step (a) from which a transformed cutting is prepared in step (g).

14. Method of claim 13, wherein the mature transformed mother plant is selected to have not less than 90% of the branching, preferably not less than 100% as compared to the wild type plant of step (a) from which a transformed cutting is prepared in step (g).

15. Method of any of the preceding claims, step (f) further comprising assaying the presence of one or more genes originating from the Ri plasmid of

Agrobacterium rhizogenes in said mature transformed mother plant.

16. Method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the mature plants of step (i) have a height of 10 - 30 cm.

17. Method of claim 16, wherein the mature plants of step (i) have a height of 15 - 20 cm.

18. Method of any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of subjecting, as a parent, the mature transformed plant of step (i) or progeny thereof, to a crossing event, and selection of the progeny.

19. Method of any of the preceding claims, wherein steps (a) - (f) are replaced by providing a mother plant, transformed with one or more genes originating from the Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, having a height of 70% or less of that of the corresponding wild type plant.

20. Plant obtained by any of the preceding claims, or progeny thereof.

21 . Plant of claim 20, having a height of 25 - 75%, preferably 40 - 70% and most preferably 50 - 65% of the height of the wild type plant of step (a).

22. Plant according to claim 19 or 20, having a height of 15 - 20 cm.

23. Plant obtained by a method of any of the claims 1- 19, said plant having not less than 80% of the number of flowers and/or not having a delayed flowering time by more than 4 days as compared to the wild type plant of step (a).

24. Plant according to claim 23, said plant having not less than 90% of the number of flowers and/or not having a delayed flowering time by more than 2 days as compared to the wild type plant of step (a).

25. Plant according to any of claims 20 - 24, having not less than 100% of the

number of flowers as compared to a not transformed control plant.

26. Plant according to any of the claims 20 - 25 for use as ornamental plant or as cut flower.

27. Plant according to any of the claims 20 - 26, or part, extract or isolate thereof for use for the provision or preparation of food, or as source for an active ingredient for the preparation of a human or animal necessity, such as a medicament, a stimulant or a cosmetic.

28. Product, comprising a plant part, extract, compound or a mixture of two or more thereof, derived from a plant according to any of the claims 20 - 26, or progeny thereof. 29. Product according to claim 28, chosen from the group, consisting of fruits, tubers, roots, leaves, food extracts, cosmetics, medicaments, perfumes.